Determinants of minimum dietary diversity of lactating mothers in rural northern region of Bangladesh: A community-based cross-sectional study

Md Mahbubul Alam Shaun; Md Wahidur Rahman Nizum; Md Asaduzzaman Shuvo; Fahmida Fayeza; Md Omar Faruk; Md Fakrul Alam; Mohammad Delwer Hossain Hawlader; Sujan Kanti Mali

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12776

Determinants of minimum dietary diversity of lactating mothers in rural northern region of Bangladesh: A community-based cross-sectional study

Heliyon. 2022 Dec 30;9(1):e12776. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12776. eCollection 2023 Jan.

Authors

Md Mahbubul Alam Shaun¹, Md Wahidur Rahman Nizum², Md Asaduzzaman Shuvo², Fahmida Fayeza¹, Md Omar Faruk¹, Md Fakrul Alam¹, Mohammad Delwer Hossain Hawlader², Sujan Kanti Mali¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Food Analysis, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, 8602, Patuakhali, Bangladesh.
² Department of Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, North South University, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh.

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding requires additional diversified foods for the nutritional requirements of mothers and children, especially in preventing micronutrient deficiencies. The minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W) is a proxy indicator of micronutrient adequacy for women.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the determinants associated with MDD in lactating women.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among lactating mothers having at least one live birth in last three years from two districts of Bangladesh between 31^st May 2021 and 9^th June 2021. Dietary and socio-demographic information was obtained using a single 24-h recall and socio-economic status questionnaires. MDD was defined as at least four food groups consumed in the last 24 hours. In binary logistic regression, adjusted models were used to assess the relationship between MDD and socio-economic factors.

Results: The mean Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was 3.9 ± 1.2. The MDD was met by 29.7% of women. Respondent's ages 20-24 years [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9], 25-34 years [AOR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.8], and 35-49 years [AOR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2-0.9], husband's academic qualifications more than 12 years [AOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.0-3.7], family income more than 15000 BDT per month [AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2-4.3], and husband's profession as a day labor [AOR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.7] were significant factors to have MDD.

Conclusions: DDS and MDD were very poor among the mothers, whereas women's age, husband's education, and the family's monthly income were independent determinants of MDD. Special interventions may be needed to improve MDD.

Keywords: Dietary diversity score; Lactating mothers; Minimum dietary diversity; Nutrition; Rural northern region.